Administrative Office
347 Main Street
Placerville, CA 95667
530.622.9882 (f) 530.621.3608
Western Slope Case Management
495 Main Street
Placerville, CA 95667
530.621.6760 (f) 530.642.5521
South Lake Tahoe Case Management
1354 Johnson Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
530.573.3072 (f) 530.541.5932
CASA IS a mission driven organization, taking a stand, making a difference, and changing a child’s life….MY LIFE…. forever.
As you read my story PLEASE think about the other children that are in similar situations.
My whole life, as far back as I can remember I lived with only my birth mom and my little sister, Rose. I didn’t know I had a dad, until I was taken away at 7 years old, he passed away when I was 13.
As young as I was---- I didn’t understand some of the situations I was going through. As far as where we lived------we were usually homeless.
We either lived with the many guys she was involved with or in cars and motels.
I raised Rose from a baby to an infant----until we were taken away. I fed her, changed her, played with her because my mom was either not there or passed out from drugs.
One year my sister and I were introduced to my grandparents on my dad’s side. Multiple times we stayed with them over night. One morning they took us back to the motel where we were staying. To our surprise there were ambulances and police cars in the parking lot. My MOM had blacked out from an overdose of drugs.
We ended up staying with my grandparents for a year and a half……people we hardly knew.
Sadly, then my grandparents could no longer take care of me and my sister because they were getting older and it was too much for them, so we were placed in temporary foster care.
We were sent to our new home in Cindy’s care.
My birth mom……..she was given a few chances to clean up so she could have us back.
I remember the day we were visiting her and she…. promised us…..that she would get us back and she would do anything to accomplish it, I BELIEVED HER!!!
Unfortunately, she broke her promise again and my sister and I were officially put into foster care.
Luckily, we were matched with a caring CASA named Nancy. My sister and I were soon placed in different homes. But Nancy made sure we still got to see each other as much as possible.Nancy was amazing because she always made me and Brittani feel loved and understood everything.
On August 29th, 2003, at ten, my amazing foster parents, Cindy and David adopted me. A few years later Rose was adopted too. After Rose and I were adopted, we were no longer eligible for a CASA; my CASA Nancy. I call her my Aunt Nancy, and still see her; she’s like part of the family.
My sister, tells me stories all the time about when were little and never stops thanking me for taking care of her.
Rose KNOWS I love her with all my heart and would do anything for her. We are SO lucky to have the loving families we do today.
Unfortunately there are children still waiting for a voice, waiting to be loved, and waiting for a CASA.
Now, my new mom and my CASA have made me a resilient and successful young lady.
Thank you Mom and thank you to my CASA, my Aunt Nancy. You made me feel loved then and I know you love me now.
Thank you CASA. Thank you for Standing up for Children like me, so they will stand a chance.
*Name has been changed.
